Women of Steel and Race for a Cure

Why does a person willingly submit to pain? The burning in the lungs, the pulsing muscles in the legs, the feet that feel like lead and the heart that wants to jump out of your chest? But we do it. We pay big entrance fees and put ourselves through things to see if we can. I think I feel I need to prove it to myself that I am still an athlete. That after two children, college and career, I still can be competitive and I can finish what I start. I do like the goal of achieving higher fitness levels and losing weight in the process but I think my main motivation is just to prove it to myself that I can do it. I competed in this years Women of Steel which was a great race. My entrance fee was all donated to charity, there were no men to pass me on the bike leg, and they gave out chocolate and necklaces at the finish line. What girl doesn't like chocolate and jewelry?

My awesome family came out to support me. Thanks guys!

I think if it were up to me I would rather swim for forty minutes and run for three rather than the other way around- I wonder how many people would sign up for that triathlon.....?
On my new road bike- It's so much faster than my old mountain bike- I especially like the downhill stretch

The race for The Cure- My mom got to wear a pink survivor shirt- yeah Mom!

I came prepared to race but there were so many thousands of people there that we really couldn't do anything but walk, especially with the double jogger. Jack actually jogged the last 2 miles with Laura though, in his new super fast running shoes. Yup, he's the man! Jack was funny because he really wanted to win a trophy and when he ran through the finish line but other people were walking, he got really annoyed with them for not racing him and he was a little disappointed that he didn't win. He didn't believe us when we told him he did.
Here is our gang except for Adam who's taking the picture.

Mothers day blessing

I had a wonderful mothers day this year. It was made especially good by participating with my friend Pumpkin's blessing and sealing of their baby boy. I can't think of a better way to remember the eternal nature of families and the precious gift of a child. Jon gave a beautiful talk that made us all weep as he spoke of their trials to become parents, Rachel's joy of being a mother, and the selfless sacrifice of their birth mother.





- My "Loot" The boys did good this year. I especially loved my long stemmed footprints and a date night to Celtic Women.

Our first "Dirt Trip"

Moab Utah, home of the "Dirt Shirt" and home of miles and miles of untouched wilderness. We had so much fun four-wheeling with Grandpa Mike. Jack wore his snazzy helmet and Charlie rode in a backpack carrier and seemed to prefer that better than having his carseat strapped to the back of the ATV.

day 1: We all rode a trail and saw some famous Indian drawings. Jack was having a hard time remembering the word 'Indian' but he kept saying that he did like looking at the "Alien's drawings on the wall." When we set out, it was warm and sunny but when we got an hour or so into our ride, the skys turned dark and Adam said, "We might need to look for some shelter." Within about 5 minutes, it was pouring. We turned around and found a cave to hide out in, but by the time we got there, we were soaked all the way through. It poured for about 10 minutes and formed waterfalls and run-off spots so that we couldn't sit down. Then the rain let up and we saw the biggest rainbow ever. I was way cold, but Grandpa was nice enough to let me use his coat. We finished our ride and spent the night in the lazy lizard hostel. Quite the place if you've never been there... It was not quite as fun for me, because I got a bad flu. We had a bunk bed and I slept on top under 4 blankets with my coat on while Adam slept on the bottom bunk with just a sheet.

day 2: We drove through Arches and I saw the famous Delicate Arch that's on all the license plates. Adam and his Dad went on a red level ride up Poison Spider Mesa. They had lots of fun and took some fun pictures. Adam said that he felt like he did pushups for 3 hours. I stayed in the hotel room and tried to sleep while Jack watched Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat- twice...

day 3: We rode up to Gemini Bridges and tried not to hit any bumps because of becky's sore neck and because Charlie was sleeping. Everytime he gets on the "fourwarmers" (as Jack calls them) he falls asleep. We drove up to Dead Horse Point and imagined what it looked like when the old cowboys rounded up all the wild stallions to that point so they could pick their new horses- the old corral fence is still there. We all bought Moab shirts so we could be official nerdy tourists.

It was a great trip and we had fun exploring some of God's miracles. Meeting some tourists from all over the world reminded me of how awesome Utah is with its variety and beauty.

Moab

Zach and Katie's Wedding

They did it! Adams brother Zach tied the knot with his girlfriend of 4 years in beautiful Moab. It started out a little shaky with thunderstorms which are never good for an outdoor wedding. The wedding was moved indoors but by the time of the actual wedding, the skys had cleared and they could take their pictures outside. They even got their very own rainbow. Jack was the life of the party and was full of energy the whole time. We're very greatful we got to be a part of their special day and stay in such a fun place.